National Geographic and 1001 Inventions Publish “Ibn al-Haytham” Children’s Book

“Ibn al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See” introduces young readers to 11th century Arabia’s most enlightened scientist

Washington DC, 19th January 2016: National Geographic Kids and 1001 Inventions announced today a new partnership to publish the book “Ibn al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See” as part of the highly successful National Geographic Kids Readers Series.

The English language publication is planned for release in spring 2016.

The book is a special tribute to the 11th century pioneering scientific thinker Al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham (known in the West by the Latinized form of his first name “Alhazen”).

Considered by many as the ‘Father of Optics’ he made important contributions to the understanding of vision, optics and light. Ibn al-Haytham’s methodology of investigation, in particular using experiment to verify theory, shows certain similarities to what later became known as the modern scientific method.

Ibn al-Haytham lived during the golden age of Muslim civilization that spread from Spain to China. During this time many men and women scholars and scientists of different cultures and faiths built on knowledge from ancient civilizations and made breakthroughs that have helped transform our modern world.

Erica Green, Vice President and Editorial Director of National Geographic Kids Books

We are pleased to continue our partnership with 1001 Inventions to celebrate the scientific legacy and achievements from Muslim Civilization. Our new reader about Ibn al-Haytham teaches kids about the important contributions he made to science and places him along other notable scientists in our series like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell."

Ahmed Salim, Producer and Director of 1001 Inventions said:

We are very excited to further collaborate with National Geographic. This project builds on the strong partnership between our organizations and the success of the two books, ‘1001 Inventions the Enduring Legacy of Muslim Civilization' and '1001 Inventions and Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization’. Ibn al-Haytham’s inspirational life and his contributions to our world are important to recognize. We are delighted that this book is part of our global campaign ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’ that celebrates the United Nations International Year of Light in partnership with UNESCO. Our aim is to connect children from different cultures together, aspiring to help raise a generation equipped with a mindset of mutual understanding and respect hoping for a better future."

This book will also serve as a companion to the international educational campaign "1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham" that includes interactive exhibits, workshops, live shows, and a 12-minute film starring the late legendary actor Omar Sharif in his final cinematic appearance.

The National Geographic Kids Readers Series is a top performer in the competitive beginning reader category.

This book follows upon that success with the same standard of carefully leveled text, dazzling photographs and illustrations and fun approach to fascinating nonfiction subjects, a set of elements that has proved to create a winning formula with kids.

National Geographic Kids teaches kids about the world and how it works, empowering them to succeed and make it a better place. National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core.

1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British based organization that creates international educational campaigns and engaging transmedia productions aiming to raise awareness of the contributions to science, technology and culture from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation.

Over the last five years, 1001 Inventions has engaged with over 200 million people across the globe. The organization works with a network of international partners, including UNESCO, and leading academics to produce interactive exhibits, short films, live shows, books and classroom learning materials that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.

1001 Inventions is a founding partner of the United Nation’s proclaimed International Year of Light 2015.

The International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL 2015) is a global initiative adopted by the United Nations (A/RES/68/221) to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health. With UNESCO as lead agency, IYL 2015 programs promote improved public and political understanding of the central role of light in the modern world while also celebrating noteworthy anniversaries in 2015—from the first studies of optics 1,000 years ago to discoveries in optical communications that power the Internet today.

‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al Haytham’ Trailer

Trailer for the short film launching later this year: ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’ The creators of 1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets bring you a new short film on the work of 11th century scientist Ibn Al-Haytham. “A journey of Science from Darkness into Light”. This trailer is for a short film by producer Ahmed Salim, starring legendary actor Omar Sharif, voice by Khalid Abdalla and music composed by Sami Yusuf. The film will be launched as part of the United Nations proclaimed International Year of Light 2015 and is produced by 1001 Inventions and the King Abdulaziz Center for World culture in partnership with UNESCO and the International Year of Light 2015.

UNESCO launch: ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’

‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’ launched at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 19th January 2015. This clip includes short highlights from the launch event that was also the official launch of the United Nations proclaimed ‘International Year of Light 2015′.

Legendary Actor Omar Sharif’s Final Film to World Premiere in Dubai 2015

Dubai – November 10, 2015: The legacy of renowned Egyptian actor Omar Sharif will be celebrated at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) this December through the world premiere screening of his last film, ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’. Sharif, whose passing in July saddened the world of film and beyond, came out of retirement to support the short film from award-winning director and producer Ahmed Salim, which will be screened twice at this year’s DIFF. It forms the final part of the 15-strong line-up of films in the Muhr Gulf Shorts category at the Festival.

Cairo University Celebrates the International Year of Light in Partnership with 1001 Inventions

Egypt, Cairo –November 17, 2015: The Science Heritage Center at Cairo University in collaboration with 1001 Inventions organised a seminar to celebrate International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 (IYL 2015) and pay tribute to the contributions of Ibn al-Haytham in the field of optics and light. The seminar entitled “The World of Ibn al-Haytham and his Journey from Darkness to Light” included talks by reputable professors of history, science and literature. The event also featured an exhibition of relevant books and a display of bibliography on the work of Ibn al-Haytham with the support of the Egyptian General Authority for Books and National Documents.

In Partnership with 1001 Inventions the Library of Alexandria Celebrates the International Year of Light

Egypt, Alexandria –November 12, 2015: The Library of Alexandria hosted an International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 (IYL 2015) celebration. The event was organised in partnership with 1001 Inventions and the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. Attended by school and university students, the event aimed at celebrating IYL2015 and highlighting the contributions of the pioneering scientific thinker Ibn al-Haytham to the understanding of vision, optics and light.

1001 Inventions launches at the China Science Festival

Beijing, 17th July, 2015: China’s largest science festival launched today with the new production “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham” as an anchor exhibition. 11th century Arab scholar Ibn al-Haytham was also unveiled as the official mascot of the 2015 China Science Festival. The science festival this year is themed on “Light and Colour” and 1001 Inventions, the British based educational organisation, participates as a Founding Partner of the United Nations proclaimed International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL2015).

Omar Sharif’s final film on “1001 Inventions” dedicated to his legacy

Legendary Oscar-nominated actor Omar Sharif, who died on Friday 10 July 2015 in a Cairo hospital following a heart attack, still has one more film to be released later this year. British organisation 1001 Inventions is producing a short film that will be the last film for the late actor. Sharif’s leading role in the educational short film “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham” was his final performance.

1001 Inventions To Partner With China’s Biggest Science Festival: China Science Festival to host “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham”

Beijing, 26th May 2015: The organizing committee of China’s biggest national Science Festival announced today that it will host “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham”, as an anchor attraction of the 2015 China Science Festival, from 17 July to 2 August 2015 at the Beijing Exhibition Center.

Bahrain celebrates:
‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’

Zedni Ilman, Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre, 1 and 2 May 2015. Families in Bahrain are welcomed to join a fun weekend of theatre and science celebrating the 1,000 year anniversary of Ibn Al-Haytham’s work in science. Known to many as the ‘father of optics’, he helped revolutionise experimental science and our understanding of light and vision.

Kuwait Celebrating ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al Haytham’

Scientific Center, Kuwait, 27 and 28 February 2015. Families and children are welcomed to join a fun weekend event celebrating the 1,000 year anniversary of Ibn Al-Haytham’s work in science. Known to many as the “father of optics”, he helped revolutionise experimental science and our understanding of light and vision. This fun packed event features engaging workshops, experiments, live shows, competitions and a new short film starring legendary actor Omar Sharif. The event is part of a new global campaign ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’ that is produced by 1001 Inventions and King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in partnership with UNESCO and the International Year of Light 2015.